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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Commissioner Jerry Patterson says the “message is more important than the messenger.” In an interview today, Patterson told KXAN that candidate Dan Patrick has been repeatedly untruthful in disclosing information.

Patterson is accused of leaking Dan Patrick’s medical information that indicates he was treated for depression in the 1980s.

“It’s not about what happened then,” said Patterson. “It’s about lie after lie after lie. Even today, his campaign denied that he had a CHL license. And he’s on his website talking about having a concealed handgun permit. I want to see the application he had to fill out to obtain that license. When you become a public official, you have to be willing to turn over all of that information.”

Patrick, who has not spoken publicly about the allegations, did issue a statement via an editorial on Saturday. In it, he admitted he was treated for depression in the 80’s, but that it was a private issue and that he has not been treated for depression since that time.

Patrick’s opponent, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, cast his vote in the race Monday afternoon, and told reporters he was aware of Patterson’s moves in releasing the information.

“If you’re saying the truth and you’re simply comparing facts between two candidates, that’s not a negative campaign,” said Dewhurst.

Patterson was once in this race, but he says his actions now are not sour grapes.

“I don’t want to respond to that. But it’s not sour grapes. I think the people of Texas have a right to know who they are voting for and who they are voting against. And they should have all the facts on all the candidates.”

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